The Under-Appreciation of God in Our Giving (Part 4)
Malachi 3:6-12
- Look at Malachi 3:6 and James 1:17. What consolation or encouragement do you get from God’s immutability? What are the theological alternatives to an immutable God? What are the problems with them?
- Why is giving so important? Should giving be characterized as a spiritual discipline?
- Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11. What do you learn from this passage about giving?
- What is a proper definition of “grace?” What do you understand “grace giving” to mean? What difference does a proper understanding of “grace giving” mean for an individual’s life? How about for the life of our church?
- Why do you think people either do not give or give sparingly to the church? What do you think would help people step into a more biblical framework of giving?
- Pray for one another to give to the Lord in an honoring and sacrificial fashion. Pray for Lifeline to grow in its financial depth and capability.
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The Under-Appreciation of God’s Justice (Part 3)
Malachi 2:17-3:5
- In your view what are the biggest injustices in our society today? Why have you chosen these in particular?
- Have you ever wrestled with the justice of God? What were the circumstances? Read the following texts: Job 21:7-13; Psalm 73:1-13; Jeremiah 12:1-4. Can you identify with the perspective in them?
- Look up the following passages. What do you learn from them about the justice of the Father and Son:
- Matthew 12:15-21
- John 5:22-23, 30
- Luke 18:7-8
- 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
- How is Jesus like a refiner’s fire or like lye?
- Do you find any solace in the fact that God will put all things to rights? How does His ultimate justice comfort you?
- Pray for each other to be comforted by our God of justice in a world filled with injustice. Pray for the marginalized in our world and for others who are the brunt of injustice.
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The Under-Appreciation of God in Our Marriage (Part 2)
- Describe in your own words what marital oneness is. What are the biggest barriers to marital oneness? What barriers have you seen manifest themselves in your own marriage?
- What makes for a healthy, God glorifying sexual oneness? How does this differ with what our culture teaches? What is the danger of hyper-reacting to our culture and swinging the pendulum all the way to the other side in this area of healthy sexuality?
- Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 and jot down some thoughts regarding the relationship that exists within the matrix of your body, your spirit, the Holy Spirit and sex and be ready to share them with the group.
- Respond to this statement: “It is more important that your children know that you love your spouse than it is that they know you love them.” Do you agree or disagree? What are the effects of living out this statement? What are the effects of not living it out?
- The sermon mentioned three key ideas that collectively set the table for multigenerational faithfulness. Sketch a brief plan below each one that you will execute on to make the idea or principle come alive in your family (you may want to do this with your spouse if you have one)
- We must model Jesus-like love for our spouse. How will you do this?
- We must model for our spouse and our children a high view of God and a passionate pursuit of His kingdom. How will you do this?
- We must strategize and execute on sweeping our children and grandchildren up in the kingdom story. How will you do this?
- The sermon addressed four important ways to guard your spirit as it relates to your marital commitment and the health of your marital relationship. Identify which of the four is the most difficult for you to live out. What is your plan to grow in this area? In addition assess the danger for your marriage if you do not grow in this area. The four are:
- Get grounded by spiritually feeding yourself with your own hands.
- Find fulfillment by rooting your joy in the joy of your spouse.
- Secure satisfaction by slaking your thirst and your spouse’s sexual thirst on one another.
- Avoid atrocity by acknowledging your weakness and embracing personal accountability.
- Ask for a specific prayer request from each in the group for their marriage relationship. If they are not married ask for a specific request concerning another important relationship in their life.
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The Under-Appreciation of God in Our Marriage (Part 1)
Malachi 2:10-14
- In what ways are we prone to separate our vertical relationship with God from our horizontal human relationships? Do you find it easier to slip into this error with relationships that are more or less intimate? Why?
- Read Ezra 9 and Nehemiah 13:23-27. What do you think of these reactions to intermarriage? What is Ezra and Nehemiah’s primary concern?
- What are the dangers of marrying an unbeliever? How would you counsel a Christian person dating an unbeliever? Look at 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 as you think through this question.
- Respond to this statement by Katherine Anne Porter: “Marriage is the merciless revealer, the great white searchlight turned on the darkest places of human nature.”
- What characterizes an ideal partnership? In what ways would you like to see your marriage demonstrate a more healthy partnership? What needs to be your particular contribution? As you think through these questions read Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 and jot down your thoughts.
- Pray for anyone you know dating or tempted to date an unbeliever. Pray for anyone you know who is currently in a marriage with an unbeliever. Pray for the wellbeing of marriage represented in the group.
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